Los Altos Brethren School accepts students, kindergarten through sixth grade, upon successful completion of entrance tests; evidence that their parents share in the school's goals is also essential.
Each prospective student is interviewed and tested, with the administration retaining the prerogative to place a student into the class best suited for his or her needs. Acceptance and continuance of a student in the school is based upon the student's academic achievement, emotional stability, social behavior, and conduct. All new students will have a six-week probationary period.
Los Altos Brethren is not equipped to serve as a disciplinary school or to meet the needs of children having special neurological, emotional, or academic needs.
Parents wishing to enroll their children in the school must:When a student is accepted to the school, the parents must:
- Complete a student application.
- Arrange for an interview and testing with the administrator.
- Provide completed physical reports, including immunization records (State Form #PM 171A, Report of Health Check-up for School Entry is required for first grade only).
- Complete emergency information forms. (Note: Forms must be updated with any changes during the school year.)
- Purchase supplies (list available in the school office) and provide a New International Version Bible for grades 1 - 6.
- Pay registration fee.
Our school verse is: "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right." - Proverbs 20:11
We believe that every student is accountable for individual behavior and has the responsibility to conduct himself/herself in a manner that contributes to a positive school environment. We desire to assist each one in developing the good judgment and internal control necessary for success, both in school and in life. We recognize that achieving this goal requires consistent reinforcement of rules by caring, responsible adults.
Good discipline
means that the classroom is free from disorder and antisocial behavior.
It means that each child, and the group as a whole, operates freely within
a structured framework that is understood and incorporated into behavior
without constant reminder or punishment. Discipline is more than outward
pressure. It involves inner understanding and acceptance.
Our school-wide discipline
plan, with proven procedures for modifying and monitoring student behavior,
is explained at the beginning of each school year in the individual classes.
Progress Reports will be distributed three times during the school year. Initial progress reports in November will indicate early academic placement and achievement. Conferences at this time will be scheduled upon request.
First-semester student progress will be indicated in all subjects with a report card and conference in February. This conference allows for strengthening the parent-teacher relationship, and for communicating the more subjective evaluations of student progress. Samples of student work will be available at the conference.
The June report card will be distributed the last day of school.
The purpose of our reporting system is to give parents and students an indication of the progress that is being made. Los Altos Brethren uses E, S, N in reporting a child's achievement in first and second grades. In third through sixth grades, report cards contain traditional letter grades (A-F).
A once-a-week computer class is part of the curriculum for grades four through six. In keeping with our school's philosophy of developmentally appropriate instruction, keyboarding begins in the fourth grade. Once keyboarding skills have been acquired, students progress to working in small groups on word-processing projects related to classroom curriculum. Participation, work habits and attitude in computer class will be considered when grade cards are given.
Students in grades one and two are required to read 20 minutes a day at home four days a week. Those in grades three through six are required to read one hour per week at home. Completed, signed forms are recorded weekly as a graded part of the report card.
Well-defined, purposeful homework is part of schooling. One of its major functions is to develop responsibility and independent study habits. Responsibility for homework must lie with the student -- not the parent -- because self-discipline and independent follow-through are essential for future scholastic and vocational success.
We believe that clothing strongly influences a child’s attitude towards school and affects his/her approach to learning during the day. Neat, conservative dress and hairstyles will be required for both boys and girls. While no dress code can speak to all current fashion trends or situations, the following standards are deemed modest and acceptable.
We want our students to come ready to learn.
General Standards:
Solid-color polo shirts (2-, 3-, or 4-button with collar) with long or short sleeves. Any manufacturer’s logo on the shirt must be no larger than a quarter (25 ¢ ). No words or other ornamentation is acceptable.
Boys: “Sagging” is not allowed.
Girls: Capris, skirts, skorts, polo-style dresses, and jumpers may also be worn. They may not be more than 4” above the knee. Shorts must be worn under all jumpers, skirts, and polo dresses. For safety, earrings must fit completely on the ear lobe (no dangling earrings). Make-up is not permitted at school or at school functions.
Hair: Conservative, neatly trimmed and groomed hairstyles (natural color) will be required of both boys and girls.
Shoes: Must be conducive to the classroom and playground. Sandals and dress shoes are inappropriate, as are any high heels, platform shoes, open-toed and/or open-heeled shoes. Socks or tights must be worn.
Sweaters and Sweatshirts: Must comply with the same rules as polo shirts. Shirts must be worn beneath any sweaters, sweatshirts, or jackets.
Cold/Rainy Weather Jackets and Coats: Must be free of words, pictures, etc.
THE ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF ANY CLOTHING OR APPEARANCE. PARENTS OF STUDENTS NOT IN DRESS CODE MAY BE CALLED TO BRING APPROPRIATE CLOTHING.
The registration fee and first monthly tuition payment are NON-REFUNDABLE.
Family Discount Policy: 2nd child = $100/year, 3rd child = $150/year. A discount will be given if the entire year's tuition is paid by August 1st. The percentage of the discount will be announced each year.
Milk (optional for grades one through six): $5.00/month, payable with tuition.
Prompt payment of tuition is expected. Accounts are due on the first of each month and delinquent after the tenth. (There is a $20 fee for late payments.) Any extenuating financial concerns should be discussed with the administration as soon as possible.
The first payment is due August 1st for either the 10- or 11- month payment plan. The last payment is due either May 1st (10 payments) or June 1st (11 payments).
The following school hours will be in effect from Monday through Friday:
Children should not arrive at school before 8:15 a.m. All students must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of school. A staff person will remain on duty for 15 minutes while students are picked up. After these 15 minutes, students will be sent to Day Care and parents will be charged accordingly. In case of emergencies resulting in pickup delays, parents should notify the school office.
Extended Day Care has been established as a special help to parents who work. Parents of the Extended Day Care students must sign their children out when they come to pick them up. Each child in the Extended Day Care program after school will receive a snack daily after school hours. The hours for Extended Day Care are as follows:
Being late in picking up a child from Day Care (after 5:30 p.m.) will result in a $5 charge for the first 15 minutes. At 5:45 p.m. the charge becomes $5 for each additional 5 minutes, and we will begin to call the emergency numbers from the child's emergency form. The money for late charges is given directly to the Day Care staff person upon pickup.
In addition to regularly scheduled classroom examinations, the Stanford Achievement Test will be administered each spring to specific grade levels. Our students' test scores consistently rank above the national average.
We have an earthquake preparedness shed that contains water, solar blankets, sanitation supplies, first aid equipment, and food. Procedures are in place to handle earthquakes or other emergency situations. All staff members are certified in CPR and first aid.
Los Altos Brethren
School does not provide food services other than milk at lunchtime. (Milk orders are handled on a monthly basis only,
not daily. The cost is $5.00/month.)Students must bring
their lunches to school. It is our desire that each student have a nutritious lunch. We
strongly discourage "junk food" and do not allow carbonated beverages, candy,
gum, or drinks/food in glass containers to be part of students' lunches.
Each student may bring a small snack in addition to his/her lunch each day. This will be eaten in the classroom under teacher supervision.
All parents are invited to be a part of the Parent Support Group (PSG).
PSG meets on the second Monday of each month from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Free childcare is provided. PSG's purpose is to support and encourage the school, students, and staff through fundraisers, the scrip program, and special events. Funds raised are then used to enrich and further enhance the school program and facility.
As part of our commitment to campus safety, all parents and visitors must check with the school secretary before proceeding to the classroom or playground. Advance notice to observe a class is required, because some events (such as testing) do not afford good opportunities for observation and/or visitation.